Ardóidh mé ceist an Bhreatimeachta leis an Tánaiste agus muid ag díriú isteach ag an deireadh seachtaine agus an t-am ag éirí gairid. Dúirt an Tánaiste féin go gcreideann sé go déanfaidh Boris Johnson an géilleadh atá riachtanach leis an socrú a aontú. An gcreideann an Tánaiste é sin fós? With regard to Brexit, the Taoiseach is today attending the European summit. We are at a very crucial time. The news with regard to the Irish protocol in the last 48 hours is very welcome. We should not have been forced into that position but it is good that the issue has been resolved. The outstanding issues with regard to the future trade arrangements are still to be resolved. The Tánaiste said yesterday that he believed Boris Johnson would make the necessary concessions. Does he still hold that view? Can he give us any more insight as to where he thinks things stand in advance of the Sunday deadline?

I am glad that an agreement to implement the Irish protocol was reached this week. It is the coming to fruition and the outcome of the agreement we made with the then Prime Minister, Theresa May, three years ago. I said at the time that it was bulletproof, and it turned out to be bullet proof. Some people doubted that at the time but it has now proven to be so. All that was promised, including that there would be no hard border between North and South and that the common travel area between Ireland and Britain would be maintained, has been done and is being honoured by the UK, the EU and Ireland.

I do not have any read-out on the dinner last night. I was not there and those who were have kept what transpired close to themselves. It is impossible for me to comment on it but I can say that they did at least agree that it was worth continuing the talks. The talks will continue at least until Sunday. As is always the case in negotiations such as this, a bit of compromise from both sides is required. Final decisions can only be made by the principals, in this case Prime Minister Johnson and President von der Leyen. I hope we will see a positive outcome.